Anil is 14 year’s old. Several years ago his father died from liver problems, a result of alcoholism. His mother works all day, out in the fields of rural India doing hard labor, and she still struggles to put food on the table. Three and a half years ago, the local pastor approached his mom and offered Anil an amazing opportunity. As one of the poorest boys in the village, he had the chance to come live at the local CCH home, receive free food, a place to sleep, a home, free private education, and a family.
At the time, Anil struggled to pay attention in school. He left class whenever possible and roamed the neighborhood instead, loitering around local shops, and homes, getting into trouble, lacking education and heading down a dark and dangerous path.
However, now at the bright age of 14, Anil loves school! He recently finished 2nd in his entire class; studying math, science, social studies, Hindi (India’s national language), Telugu (the language of Andhra Pradesh), and English! His English is superb, some of the best pronunciation and comprehension I’ve heard yet. He currently aspires to be an Electrical Engineer. He says that India has a serious electricity problem; they don’t have the capacity or proper regulation to provide electricity to the entire country on a consistent basis. Therefore, Anil would like to solve that problem by helping to create wind-powered electrical systems throughout the nation. He’s purely brilliant, and above all he loves the Lord so incredibly well. During worship he is on his feet, shouting praises at the top of his lungs, dancing up in down like David did in the Old Testament. He puts the Lord first in everything, and everyone else before himself. He loves well, and serves well and completely won my heart this past week.
I only got to spend a week with Anil, and the 9 other brothers he lives with at the CCH home. But that’s just the beginning. India, these boys, and this organization have completely won my heart.
I am amazed by what they’re doing and the lives they have changed thus far. CCH currently has 40 homes, just like Anil’s, throughout the state of Andhra Pradesh with 5 or 10 children each. They take the bottom 25% of children in the village and give them the opportunity of a lifetime, to become something nobody ever thought they could be. The structure of the organization is impeccable, and has been such a breath of fresh air here on the Race.
I miss those boys so much already, but when we said goodbye I couldn’t muster up a single tear (something unusual for me.) However, I strongly believe that’s because my heart knows I’ll be back one day soon, hopefully within the year, to see their big brown eyes, and their gorgeous smiles again.
God has used CCH and their pastors to completely redeem the lives of these children. It’s the most beautiful story of God’s love I have ever seen with my own two eyes. In a land full of poverty, idolatry and hatred, God reaches down and with the power of His own hand, He sets these children on a path of promise and blessing. It’s one of the most inspiring things I have yet to witness, and I feel so very blessed that God let me peak through the window to see His mighty hand at work.
For more information about CCH (Covenant Children’s Homes) and what they’re doing for the state of India, visit their website at http://cch-india.com
